First Cases of Monkeypox Identified in Pakistan, Sweden

Pakistan has confirmed its first monkeypox case of 2024. The 34-year-old infected man returned from Saudi Arabia on August 3 and was tested positive for the virus, ARY News reported quoting Pakistan’s Ministry of Health.

His positive diagnosis was confirmed on August 13, marking the first reported case of monkeypox in Pakistan for 2024.

Meanwhile, Sweden’s public health agency has recorded what it says is the first case of a more dangerous type of Mpox outside the African continent.

The person was infected during a stay in an African region sufferring a major outbreak of mpox Clade 1.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of Mpox in parts of Africa as a public health emergency of international concern.

At least 450 people died during an initial outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the disease has since spread to areas of Central and East Africa.

Earlier in 2023, three passengers were diagnosed with monkeypox at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.

Monkeypox remains a significant global health issue, with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 99,518 cases and 208 deaths across 122 countries.

The Mpox virus spreads through close contact, presents with symptoms such as fever, rash, and body aches, typically lasting 2 to 4 weeks.